INFO / links & info:

Expo.Planetmountain

www

Nalle Hukkataival repeats Oliphants Dawn at Rocklands

On 28/07/2012 Nalle Hukkataival made the first repeat of Oliphants Dawn, the 8B+ boulder problem established by Fred Nicole in 2000 at Rocklands, South Africa.

Perhaps there has never been such an immense number of talented climbers busy bouldering away at Rocklands all at the same time and it's hard, if not impossible, to keep up with what's being sent. Having said that, the most notable climb of all is Nalle Hukkataival's first repeat of Oliphants Dawn, the boulder problem which had lain dormant and unrepeated ever since Fred Nicole first ascended it in the year 2000.

The problem is a true power explosion and had perhaps been somewhat neglected - at least from a mediatic point of view - compared to other more famous problems until last winter when Adam Ondra stated "It consists of three moves on incredibly small crimps on a 30-degree overhang and after one hour of sessioning I walked away having done none of the moves. And I heard that bunch of people walked away with same result. All my esteem to you, Fred!"

The man who responded to this challenge was Hukkataival - obviously on a roll after his extended bouldering trip to Australia - who made the coveted second ascent last Thursday, stating on 27crags.com: "The ultimate finger-strength test. Managed to pull it off in one session with good conditions. Harder than any V14 in Rocklands or most other places. Whatever grade that makes it is not important to me. Big respect to Fred for opening such a legendary climb."

While a video of this repeat will be published shortly, here is the 5th Rocklands post by Clement Perotti.